Marco Santello

Research in the Neural Control of Movement laboratory focuses on understanding the control of complex movements. The human hand's motor system is particularly useful to address questions related to neural strategies and mechanisms underlying the control of complex movements, i.e., coordination of hand muscles, motion and forces of multiple digits. Several complementary techniques are used ranging from intramuscular and surface electromyography (EMG) to recording upper limb, hand, and finger kinematics as well as between-digit force coordination patterns during grasping and manipulation. This research aims at understanding the sensorimotor transformations responsible for skilled hand-object interactions in healthy individuals as well as in patients affected by musculoskeletal and neurological disorders. Current projects include: anticipatory control of multi-digit contact points for manipulation; coordination of EMG activity across multiple hand muscles during grasping and manipulation; sensorimotor learning and learning transfer of dexterous manipulation; application of biological control principles underlying movement control to robotics and rehabilitation. Dr. Santello has published over 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals and 6 book chapters. His research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation since 2002.